June, 2018
USDA Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett led a discussion regarding solutions to fix the U.S. opioid crisis, at the Arkansas Rural Development Conference in LR. Arkansas leaders in industry, healthcare, education, and agriculture - including Arkansas Agriculture Secretary Wes Ward - weighed in on how the opioid crisis is affecting rural Arkansas communities. (Secretary Ward is pictured here w/Ann and USDA-Arkansas Rural Development Director David Branscum.
The AAD was honored to have Abby Frizzell, Clarksville 8th grader and Johnson County Arkansas 4H member, as a job shadow in May. Abbey is interested in a career in the agriculture industry and hopes to study public relations, or animal science, or both. Abbey is the daughter of County Forester Jeff Frizzell. She also recently won top honors in the 2018 Arkansas Dairy Foods Contest . Abby, we look forward to seeing big things from you!
Arkansas Ag Fact:

Arkansas ranked 16 th in total agricultural exports with a value of $3.1 billion , ranking in the top ten in the nation for exports of seven commodities:

  • No 1 in rice (valued at $859 million)
  • No 4 in broilers (valued at 346 million)
  • No 6 in cotton (valued at $166 million)
  • No 7 in other poultry (valued at $104 million
  • No 10 in soybeans (valued at $790 million)
  • No 10 in soymeal (valued at $201 million)
  • No 10 in vegetable oil (valued at $123 million)

Data is taken from 2017 USDA ERS included in the UAEX Arkansas Ag Profile .
What is one way the AAD serves Arkansas farmers and ranchers?

AAD's Apiary Division protects honeybees in order to maintain viable honeybee populations for the purpose of pollination in Arkansas. Most recently there were a total of 2,582 active registered apiarists in the state with 41,974 registered apiaries. A total of 7,434 colonies were visited last fiscal year. 

By inspecting bee yards and colonies, Apiary Inspectors identify potential diseases or other bee ailments and unwanted species, and recommend strategies to minimize negative effects including the spread of diseases or ailments to other colonies.

Find Arkansas honey bee registration and inspection forms, and Apiary Laws and Regulations , here .
Arkansas Forestry Commission Quarterly Board Meeting: July 20, LR
Arkansas Agriculture Department Quarterly Board Meeting: August 1, LR